Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-17
A CORONET OF MISERY.
The Fate Of q south Carolina Girl who
Welded n Title,

SIZE BECOMES THE WIFE or AN ITALIAN COUNT, AND,
AFTER LONG COURSE OF BRUTALITY, rs SHUT Up IN
AN ITALIAN MAD-Housg-HER RESCUE AND DEATH.
A correspondent OF the New York Star, writing
from Charleston, s. c., september z, says: The
countess Alexina LeOnett, VINO died here a few
days ago, was before marriage, a Miss AleXna
Chisholm, favorite daughter in one OF the
wealthieSt and most distinguished families Of
South Carolina. She was brilliantly educated,
handsome, and possessed Of voice OF phenorne-
nal beauty. After the close OF the war she went
abroad with her father, and while travelling on
the Continent made the acquaintance of Count
Leonetti. who, as the sequel shows, proved to be
mere adventurer of the most depraved Italian
type. Putting his empty title and pretensions
against her American gold, he so far succeeded in
attractive young lady as TO win her hand. In less
Than year she became the Countess LeOnettt and
'he go occupant Of palace In Florence. -. u.
for q time everything went well with her, but
hnal1y the passionate lover unveiled his true
character and Alexina found herself deserted for
the gambling salon and the deini-monde. Heavy
drafts were made upon her purse for his support
amid these designations and the good-natured
father hunored the belief that after q while the
gay italian would SOW his wild oats and settle
de"h TO more quiet life. But he was mistaken.
The more the count received the more he de-
manded. One day, on returning home, the countess
found installed In her place woman who had
officfated as her maid. This was too much for a
proud nature to endure, and the countess taking
such OF her jewels as her husband had not pawned
or sold, returned to Charleston with her father.
The count now played another role. He pre-
tented penitence and reformation. He wrote be-
seeching letters, to the effect that his fathers
death had secured to him property that before he
had been unable to touch. In short he wanted her
to come back to her Italian home and be once
more happy: Womanlike, she yielded and reJoned
her husband leaving her father in America. But
IL was only to be once more disappointed She
found that her place was virtually filled by the
French maid, who was nomtnally retained in the
capacity OF hair dresser to the countess Mean
While the drafts upon her eXchequer continued
until the demand became simply exOrbtant. One
morning while arranging the hair Of the countess
the maid Drought her a cup Of coffee. 1t was
drank, ana In few minutes violent SpaSlnS Oc-
CURED. A physician was summoned, and, after
questioning the patient asked for the cup for the
purpose Of examining It's contents. The maid de-
ciared that they had been thrown away, and at
the same time offered her glass Of vine
"Take 1t away-nOthing more from you," said
the countess 81 have been poisoned doctor, in
my own house."
poisoned In the palace OF Leonettil One
OF the Oldest houses in Florence! Impossible,
"Oh, doctor!" she cried. 'save me!r--but before
she could finish the sentence she became delirious
ana Tor days remained in an unconscious state.
When reason returned she found herself in q
strange place, surrounded by strengthening
and acting people. 1t was lunatic asylum, to
which she had been conveyed by orders OF the
count, with instructions that she should not he
allowed to communicate by sign, word, or writ
Ing with any person outside or the Institution
III 1tdiy uuSDdnuS COntfOl over LOe vile IS aD.
solute, and consequently his Instructions were
carried out to the letter.
One day, however, the countess managed to
have a letter conveyed to the American consul in
which she begged him to come to the asylum He
did SO, but was refused admlttance. During this
incarceration the count was drawing upon her
rather In Charleston under the pretenSe that she
personally required the money in order to meet
The heavy charges OF the institution to which she
had voluntarily retired for treatment. These
drafts We're duly honored until at last the suspic
ions OF Mr. Chisholm being aroused, he himself
d'af1aires In Florence, requesting him to make an
investigation OF the circumstances The latter
did SO, but 1t was only by the exercise OF his
personal interview with the countess, when he
learned the facts which determined him to take
steps for her immediate release.
After much trouble the latter was secured, and,
shattered In health and broken in spirit, she was
sent back to America, accompanied by a female
companion. The father, who was also In feeble
health, met her On her arrival, but the meeting
was terrible one. The daughter, with whom he
had parted in the bloom OF youth, had returned to
Ills arms mental and physical wreck. The
brown, luXuriant hair mad turned to gray the
graceful figure had lost its rounded outlines, and
the brilliant mind Was almost blank. IL was
hoped that the change OF scene and the revival OF
Old associations would accomplish cure but In
this her friends were destined to be disappointed
served TO increase the burden she had already
borne, and practically she retired from the world
denying herself In her melancholy even to her old
servants.
Now and then her beautiful voice could be
heard ringing out in the quiet stiffness of the
night, and guests OF the hotel in which she re-
SIDED would gather around her door and marvel,
for the sad story was known to but few SO the
weeks and months passed by. Last week all that
was mortal OF Alexina, the Countess LeOnetti
was consigned to the grave, and tears fell from
the eyes OF many a friend who but little while
ago envied her in the ownership OF proud title
that had cost a life.